US3218439A - Vote tallying machine - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 16, 1965 Filed Aug. 7, 1964 10 Sheets-Sheet l FROM BIT WORD COMPARISON COUNTER I92 COUNTER 0 NETWORK I (I96 BALLOT SCANNING TIMING HEADS I 2 COUNTER TIMING TIMING COLUMN I TO WRITE A LoGIc scANNING COLUMN 2 To WRITE B CIRCUIT STATAC'ZER LoGIc GATING COLUMN 3 NETWORK TO WRITE c LOGIC COLUMN 4 TO WRITE 0 LOGIC FIG I5 ADDRESS 32 r as COUNTER SCAN DISPLAY SYSTEM INVENTOR GEROLD HOLZER BY NORMAN WALKER HARRY WILCOCK Nov. 16, 1965 G. HOLZER ETAL VOTE TALLYING MACHINE Filed Aug. 7, 1964 .10 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG 20 INPUT [66E LOGIC |66H Rcl ANALYZING I62 [628 CIRCUIT DECODE CIRCUIT 0 5 I FIGIO INVENTOR. GEROLD HOLZER NORMAN WALKER BY HARRY WILCOCK Nov. 16, 1965 G. HOLZER ETAL 3,218,439

VOTE TALLYING MACHINE Filed Aug. 7, 1964 1Q Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG3 INVENTOR. GEROLD HOLZER NORMAN WALKER BY HARRY WILCOCK G. HOLZER ETAL VOTE TALLYING MACHINE Nov. 16, 1965 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 7, 1964 FIG4 ii I.

0 AMII OOOO o o o o o o INVENTOR. GEROLD HOLZER NORMAN WALKER BY HARRY WILCOCK FIG 9 Nov. 16, 1965 HOLZER ETAL 3,218,439

VOTE TALLYING MACHINE Filed Aug. 7, 1964 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG5 INVENTOR.

GEROLD HOLZER NORMAN WALKER BY HARRY WILCOCK G. HOLZER ETAL VOTE TALLYING MACHINE Filed Aug. '7, 1964 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 MEMORY IssA DRUM \86A A I60 A AMPLIFIER DRIVER (I9OA l82A l84A A READ A WR'TE WRITE A FLIP-FLoP LoGIc FLIP-FLOP FIG ll DRUM Is" a "05" FoR wRITING IN PARITY REGISTER 84p s INPUTS IsI WRTE P WP 0 FROM THE AI-I PARITY FLIP FLOP wRITE FLIP FLoPs GENERATOR We '74 lllsll a llosll CHECKING PARITY BITS STORED ON DRUM e INPUTS 2nd FRoM THE A-H PARITY READ FLIP FLoPs GENERATOR IF ANY DIsAGREEMENT PARITY \ZIB coMPARIsoN PROGRAM ERRoR Ills" allosll gop FROM THE DRUM READ P 1 FLIP-FLOP INVENTOR. PAR|TY BITS GEROLD HOLZER FROM THE DRUM FIG l8 NORMAN WALKER HARRY WILCOCK Filed Aug. 7, 1964 G. HOLZER ETAL VOTE TALLYING MACHINE 1Q Sheets-Sheet '7 READ E. 20 READ F r l INVERTER READ GATING READ I-I- 209 BINARY I 2 VOTE NETWORK 3 COUNTER II II ee /T COUNT UP NOTALL Is COUNT UP ,-2Io

PHASE SELECTOR DECIMAI- SWITCH ON CONTROL C GAT'NG PANEL \EQUAL DU 7 2H Cp lee 98 r88 BALLOT TIMING & COUNTER COMPARISON BCD DISPLAY NETWORK DECODER UNIT DRUM 7 woRo COUNTER f 56 FIG I? BALLOT TIMING MARKS 49 VOTE J II IQI I kl I! II BALLOT I I I I I I I I voTE I I SCANNING IT I I I CIRCUIT I I i I III ITI I OUTPUT I I I I I II TIMING I MARK SCANNING i l I II I OUTPUT I l I] FLIP-FLOP I I I OUTPUT Y I I. I

I I I I I I I I I I H INVENTOR. SIGNAL TO I I I II J GEROLD HOLZER sTATIcIzERs NORMAN WALKER HARRY WILCOCK Nov. 16, 1965 G. HOLZER ETAL 3,218,439

VOTE I'ALLYING MACHINE Filed Aug. '7, 1964 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 B0 B9 WI W50 O O O O O O O O O Q O O O O I' I BIT WORD I DECODE DECODE i O O O O O O O D O O O O O I l BIT WORD I CP COUNTER COUNTER I L J FIG l3 BALLOT TIMING COUNTER T O G O O Q D O O O O O O I DECODE I O O O O O D O I O O O O ggs mfifi BALLOT TIMING COUNTER I I I I96 FROM SLIDER SWITCHES I02 FIG l4 DRUM o COMPARISON Cp o COUNTER 0 NETWORK J M90 96 I98 (I TIMING $3211-- MARK COUNTER TO WRITE A LOGIC 2 STATICIZERBI 205 Q Z GATING COMPARISON ERROR NETWORK -ISDA READ INVENTOR.

A GEROLD HOLZER FF NORMAN WALKER BY HARRY wILcocK FIG l6 4,, I W

United States Patent 3,218,439 VOTE TALLYING MACHINE Gerold Holzer, Norman Walker, and Harry Wilcock, Orange County, Calif., assignors to Votronics, Inc., San Diego, Calif.

Filed Aug. 7, 1964, Ser. No. 388,150 23 Claims. (Cl. 235-61.7)

This invention relates to an automatic counting machine and more particularly to a machine which scans a paper election ballot and automatically tallies every mark on such paper ballot representing a vote properly cast, during a single pass of the ballot through the machine.

Many voting districts in the United States of America and particularly in the State of California, employ paper ballots for use by voters at elections which include many possible voting combinations. These ballots are intended to be hand-marked by the individual voter in a polling both. Following the close of the polls, the laborious, expensive and time-consuming task of counting the votes for each of the candidates for the many offices, and propositions submitted to the voters then commences. In addition to being expensive and time consuming, the hand-counting of votes is subject not only to normal human error, but also to abnormal error introduced by the fatigue and strain of counting late into the night.

While mechanical and electromechanical voting machines have long been available as replacement for the paper ballots, for recording the preferences of the individual votes, such machines are generally very expensive and often do not possess the flexibility of a paper ballot.

The machine of the present invention eliminates all of these problems. Due to its speed, compactness, ease of use and relatively low cost, it permits many polling places to employ a relatively few number of workers and machines to count all of the votes following the closing of the polls. The voter need not be concerned with changing his method of voting, the paper ballot may still be marked in the usual manner. It is only after the voters have voted that the machin of the present invention is brought into play.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a self-contained unit, which reads a conventional paper ballot at a rapid rate and accumulates and stores the total vote for each candidate and for each of the other measures voted upon the electorate. At a later time the individual totals, stored in the machine can be displayed or printed out in a permanent record.

While prior art machines which read and count paper ballots, do exist, as for example the machine described in the patent to Fechter et al., Patent No. 2,940,663, issued June 14, 1960, such machines have been very large and therefore relatively immobile and expensive to purchase, operate and maintain. But most unfortunately, such prior art machines usually require the services of a professional programmer before they can be used, which can only add to the cost and complexity of their use. The programming for these prior art machines is generally carried out in a manner typical of most digital computers; that is the program for the reading of a given set of ballots, must be introduced into the machine by a patch board, by the setting of potentiometer or the manual setting and adjusting of individual reading elements, and the like.

The machine of the present invention on the other hand, may be programmed very quickly and simply by the operator of the machine, who need not be a professional programmer and in fact may be a relatively untrained and unskilled poll worker. Programming is accomplished automatically, photo-electrically; by merely feeding the so-called programming sheets through the machine in the exact same manner that the paper ballots to be counted would be fed into the machine.

This novel feature of the present invention need not necessarily be limited to use in a vote counting machine. The same mode of operational programming may be employed in any other computers where it is desired to program the computer directly from a printed or written form.

The key to the simplicity of operation, compactness, and ease of use of the present invention resides in the utilization of high speed digital computer techniques in conjunction with modern web transport mechanisms and display devices. Prior art vote counting or ballot tabulating machines such as are described in the patent to Keith, Patent No. 2,750,108, or Fechter et al., Patent No. 2,940,663, provided a separate sensing unit and associated electro-mechanical counter for each possible voting position on the ballot. Each ballot had to be stopped, in a proper location and each voting position was read, simultaneously.

According to th present invention, a single scanning element is provided for each of the columns of a ballot, and each such scanning element is shared, in common with some fifty electronic counters. Each of these counters consists of several magnetizable spots on a rotatable magnetic drum which are written into and read from by electronic circuits which are connected to the scanning elements. Other electronic counter are provided to keep track of the address, or relative location of each of the counters stored in the memory. Since each of the stored counters has a unique address, or relative location of each of the counters stored in the memory, information can be entered into the counters or extracted from them for display purposes, virtually at will.

Timing marks are printed in the margin of th ballot to synchronize the scanning operation and are counted in a set of address counters, the count of which is continuously compared to that of another set of address counters connected to count timing pulses from the serial memory. Therefore, any voting location on a ballot can be uniquely corresponded to a counter in the memory. The presence or absence of a vote mark in each location can then be properly entered into the stored counter when the addresses of both counters coincide.

When all of the ballots have been processed, a novel, electromechanical address generator is used to select a particular stored counter for the display of its contents. The selector mechanism includes a sliding bar having a window therein which is positioned over a sample or replica ballot placed in a suitable location on the machine. Associated with this sliding indicator is a form of position to digital encoder which, through the use of a binary-coded track and a plurality of snap action switches, generates a unique binary code combination corresponding to each possible location on the ballot. This binary count is applied directly to the addressing counter in place of the timing mark input and presets the counter to an address corresponding to the selected candidate location. The contents of this counter are compared to the contents of the memory address counter, and when the count are identical the correct stored counter can be called upon to display its contents.

The combination, therefore, of a simple, reliable ballot transport mechanism, a limited number of scanning elements and electronic circuits enabling these limited number of scanning elements to be time shared by a multiplicity of individual stored counters, enables the present invention to provide a universal counter of widespread applicability that is ideally suited for the tallying of votes on ballots. Additional features take advantage of legally imposed voting procedures, such as the re- 3 moval, by an election ofiicial, of a corner of each ballot before it is placed in the ballot box, to provide a positive method of assuring that the ballots are fed properly into the machine.

To simplify the operation of the machine and to avoid confusing non-technically trained precinct workers, the machine of the present invention has been designed so that after the machine has been programmed for the ballots of a particular precinct and all of the ballots have been processed, the accumulated totals for each candidate or proposition can be displayed a many times as are necessary for the polling place to prepare its written report.

When the totals are no longer necessary, and the machine is to be used for the ballots of a new precinct or, for example, in the case of a primary election, the ballots of a second political party, the machine must be physically disabled, that is, the power interrupted, before reprogramming can take place. The temporary interruption of power returns the machine to its warm-up condition, at which time all information recorded in the memory is erased.

The procedure for programming for a new ballot format is identical to that described above. Furthermore, the act of turning off the machine, momentarily, is an event of sufiicient significance, so that all precinct workers assigned to the polling place can satisfy themselves that totals from an earlier tabulation will not be carried into a later tabulation.

In a preferred embodiment, the vote counter of the present invention is adjusted to scan the particular column arrangement for the ballots of each election and is connected to a conventional 110 volt A.C. outlet. Upon receipt of ballots from a precinct, the ballots are compared with Programming Sheets and the Read-Out Sheet for the precinct to insure that all are correct. The precinct number and political party must be identical on the ballots, Programming Sheets, and the Read-Out Sheet.

The Read-Out Sheet is placed in position by sliding it under a plastic cover which is located on top of the machine, and is adjusted so that the bottom of the opening of a slide bar reader, when positioned in the first office location, shows the top of the first black timing mark located on the left side of the Read-Out Sheet. Aligning pins may be provided to aid in positioning and to minimize slippage. The slide bar can be positioned through several locations to make sure that the read-out bar correctly frames the names of the candidates throughout the length of the ballot.

A control switch is initially placed in the Program position and the unit is ready to be turned on placing the Power switch in the ON position. After a delay of approximately ten seconds, a green READY light will come on and a light located to the left of the numerical display will appear under a legend of Feed Program Sheet Number 1. Six lights are provided, two for each of the Programming Sheets that must be fed.

The first Programming Sheet Number 1 is fed into the feed slot, with the top of the ballot first into the unit and all printing visible to the operator. After the first Programming Sheet Number 1 has been fed, the second light under Feed Program Sheet Number 1. will be illuminated to either feed Programming Sheet Number 1 into the unit a second time or use a second Programming Sheet Number 1 which has been independently prepared.

After the two processings of Programming Sheet Number 1, the program light will advance to Feed Programming Sheet Number 2. Programming Sheet Number 2 is then fed through the machine. A second number 2 programming sheet must be fed and, the instruction will step to Feed Programming Sheet Number 3, which are then fed into the machine. A total of six scannings have been completed after which all of the programming lights should be out.

The control switch, which is set on Program is next turned to the Read position and a light (on the right of the numerical read-out) will be on under the legend Feed Ballots. The electronic vote counter is now ready to read ballots.

The ballots may be fed as rapidly as desired, one at a time, with the top of each ballot being fed first into the unit. The printing should be up and, with the ballots fed in this manner, the corner from which the tear-out stub has been removed will be in the upper left. After each ballot has been fed, a numerical display will indicate the total number of ballots which have been processed by the machine.

After all ballots have been processed, the following procedure is followed to obtain the total number of votes cast for each candidate or issue. The control switch is advanced from the Read position to the 1 position which represents the first ballot column and a light under the head of the first column of the read-out sheet will be lit, confirming that it is the column from which the totals are to be obtained. The slide-bar is positioned to frame a candidates name in the cut-out of the slide bar. Depressing a Read button causes a display of the total number of votes for this candidate. The Read button must be released before the next total can be displayed. Sliding the bar into position to frame the next name and again depressing the Read button causes the total number of votesfor the next candidate to be displayed. Repeat this operation until all the totals for the first column have been displayed.

In order to read totals from the second ballot column, the control switch should be advanced to 2, and the light at the head of this column Will come on. With the slider, frame the first candidates name, and depress the Read button to display the vote total for the candidate. The same procedure is followed with the additional candidates in the column.

In a similar fashion the totals for each candidate or proposition in the remaining columns of the ballot may be displayed. At any time, the operator may go back to any ballot item to reconfirm the totals.

In order to proceed with the next precinct, or, in the case of a primary, another party return the control switch to Program and turn off the power switch. The entire procedure described for the first precinct is repeated to obtain the new totals.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel, automatic programming routine for a digital computer.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a vote counting machine for paper ballots having a novel programming mechanism.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved vote counting machine for paper ballots possessing very high reading accuracy and reliability.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vote tallying machine of the character described which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and maintain.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a vote counting machine for tallying scrambled paper ballots, which is compact, portable, simple to operate.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a vote tallying machine of the character described which will permit a read-out in direct, readable, decimal form of the accumulated vote total as to any given candidate at any desired time.

It is yet an additional object of the present invention to provide a universal counter in which a plurality of storage counter cells share, in common, electronic reading, addressing, and counting circuits for the accumulator of totals within the store counter.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a counter for recording the presence or absence of marks in predetermined location on a record, and for displaying the accumulated total of marks in a particular position of a plurality of similar records.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a vote tallying machine having a single set of reading elements for successively detecting all of the voting marks made on a ballot and for accumulating and selectively displaying the totals of marks in a particular location of a plurality of ballots.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further object and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration and description only, and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vote tallying system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 includes FIG. 2a, which is a top view of a suitable ballot and FIG. 2b which is a top view of a corresponding Programming Sheet;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a vote tallying machine according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a ballot transport mechanism suitable for use in the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the transport mechanism of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a scanning head used in the present invention taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 in the direction of the appended arrows;

FIG. 7 is a front View of a scanning head of FIG. 5 taken along line 7-7 in the direction of the appended arrows;

FIG. 8 is a top, isometric view of the read-out and display portion of the vote tallying machine of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a position encoder used for read-out and display;

FIG. 10 is an idealized block diagram of the information flow-path from ballot to display through the memory;

FIG. 11 is an idealized block diagram of the information paths to and from the memory of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an idealized timing diagram correlating the marks on the ballot to the output of a scanning circuit;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a drum counter;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a ballot timing counter;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of data input circuits;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a program checking circuit;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of drum output circuits;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of parity circuits;

FIG. 19 is an idealized diagram, partially in block, of a portion of the memory channels and the circuits adapted to read and write information onto the drum;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a phase counter of the present invention; and

FIG. 21 is an idealized representation of successive information entries into the drum during various operational phases of the present invention.

The vote tallying machine of the present invention operates in three major phases, namely: programming, ballot processing, and vote read-out. These three major phases are further divided into twenty-four sub-phases which control and time-sequence all operations. Some of these sub-phases are additionally further divided into branching sub-sequences so that data may be serially examined for each ballot column.

Basically, however, the system might be broadly viewed as a combination of an input mechanism 32, a data processing and memory device 34 and a display device 36. With reference to FIG. 1, the system is there represented as such a block and includes these elements. It will 6 be understood, that the preferred embodiment utilizes a magnetic drum as a memory store and which because of the dynamic characteristics of a serial drum memory, also can be readily adapted to perform both of the data conditioning and computation as well.

A typical ballot 40 of the type used in the State of California is shown in FIG. 2a. It will be with reference to the tallying of votes cast with ballots substantially similar to these that the present invention will be explained.

There are three basic types of voting situations for which votes must be recorded by a ballot 4t Firstly, there is the election of office seekers, where one or more from a group of candidates may be chosen. The present invention is designed to prevent over voting, that is, for example, if only two of a possible seven candid-ates are to be chosen, then no more than two markings will be permitted for that particular office. If more than two are found to be present on any ballot, the machine will entirely disregard this ballot as to such ofiice, if such is the requirement of the local election laws. Voting of this first type may usually occur in either of the first two relatively narrow columns 42, 44 of the ballot 4d, and a voting box 46 is provided for each candidate with provision of extra spaces in which the names of additional candidates may be written in and voted for.

In addition to the voting for oifice seekers, the ballot 40 must also accumulate the votes for or against specific measures or propositions referred for a decision to the electorate. Typically, in such an instance, two boxes 4% are provided in connection with each measure, one of which, if marked indicates a yes vote, and the other of which, if marked, indicates a no vote, on that particular measure. Such measures are usually placed in the relatively wide column 5t), 52, of ballot 46.

Finally, there may be included in a ballot, a recall petition for the recall of a particular oificial. In such a circumstance, the ballot will ordinarily include the name of one or more oflice seekers to replace the incumbent office holder, should the recall succeed. In such circumstance, the law usually requires and therefore the machine is designed to count the votes for the oifice seekers if and only if, the particular voter has also voted properly on the question of the recall petition. Either a YES or NO vote is required, but not both. Such a situation is indicated in the lower portion of the right hand column 52.

The ballot 40 is printed with black ink on various colored papers and is typical of those presently in use throughout the State of California. The most striking difference between ballot 4i) and those presently in use, is the provision of a timing track 54 on the left hand side of the ballot 49. In addition, predetermined horizontal alignment must be maintained across the ballot. That is to say, the beginning and/ or the end of each possible measure across the ballot must be horizontally coincided and the printed portion must not be skewed with respect to the edges of the paper. That is not to say, however, that a measure, such as the first in the relatively wide, measure columns 5t 52, may not extend through several timing marks, which would correspond to spaces for votes for office, in the first two, relatively narrow columns 42, 44. However, much of the space of these wider or higher positions in which a mark might be made by the voter, should be blocked out, so as to limit the area in which the voter is permitted to mark the ballot, as for example, the proposition voting blocks 48.

The timing track 54, in accordance with the presently preferred embodiment of this invention, consists of a series of marking bars 56 or horizontal lines, aligned in a vertical column. Each of these bars 56 is approximately inch wide and /2 inch long. The top of each of the bars 56 is aligned with the lower line at the bottom of each permissible voting square 46. These marking bars 56 are spaced vertically of an inch apart (from the top of one bar 56 to the top of the next bar 56, therebelow) thus making each voting box 46 approximately of an inch high. In addition, the vote marking area allotted to each voting position, whether for an office, a measure, or recall is made approximately of an inch wide.

The width of the ballot 4G is preferably either 8 inches or 14 inches. The width of each column should be a minimum of 2 /2 inches and may be as wide as a maximum of inches. In a preferred embodiment, up to four columns are permitted. The longest ballot presently accepted by the preferred embodiment is 24 inches. Within the scope of the present invention, machine might easily be devised which can handle ballots of other lengths, widths, and internal configurations.

Thus, with the preferred embodiment, it is possible to have as many as fifty voting locations per column, assuming a 4 /2 inch heading on the overall ballot. Ballots which are shorter than 24 inches will be accepted by the machine, but in order to be able to readily instruct the machine, a shorter ballot, say one which is 16 inches long should have a number of timing marks equal to a multiple of such as 20, 30 or 40.

The preferred embodiment has been designed to require a minimum number of rules or boundary conditions, in the organization of the paper ballot. The rules which are imposed include:

(1) No office may appear on more than one column; i.e. no continued in next column is permitted.

(2) There may be no more than ofiices and/or issues in each column.

(3) If a recall petition is on the ballot, the place on the ballot for the alternate office seekers must follow, the yes or no vote for the recall petition without intervening oflices.

(4) There must always be one unused space of at least one voting square between offices and measures. This space is usually occupied by the heading for the oifice being voted upon. In the case of measures, the space may be provided by locating the yes and no voting space in such a manner that an unused space /8 of an inch by of on inch is provided above and below the spaces wherein the voter may place his mark.

(5) The yes and no voting square spaces for each measure must always be disposed one directly above the other, with no intervening space between them.

The vote counting machine of the present invention permits any desired positioning of candidates and issues for any given election at each polling place providing the physical size and columnar division of the different ballots is the same. The same machine can receive these differently oriented ballots, and tabulate the votes of each correctly, provided that the machine is properly programmed for each group of ballots, all ballots are separated by group and each group it tallied individually.

The means by which a program is introduced into the machine, is of the utmost simplicity, requiring no special skill on the part of the operator. Also, any number of candidates for whom votes may be legally cast for a given office can be accommodated by the system of the present invention.

A set of three Programming Sheets is used to instruct the machine about the format of a particular ballot and a typical Programming Sheet 49 is shown in FIG. 2b. The Programming Sheets must be the same size and have the same column width as the ballots 40 to be used and should be printed at the same time. It is preferable to use a full grid of lines /8 of an inch apart on a Programming Sheet, whereby the lines in each column are numbered from top to bottom, as shown and each has a voting box 46', 43 corresponding to the ballot 4t) voting boxes 46, 48, respectively.

The timing track 5% is provided with one additional line, approximately an inch above the first line, for a total of 51 lines in the timing track 54 of the Programming Sheets 46'.

Above the heading of the grid Work are small square boxes 58 approximately the same size as a voting square which are used to identify the Programming Sheets. These code boxes are exactly in line with the voting .squares 46, 48', at the grid work and also correspond to the number of columns on the ballot 4d, a box 58 appearing above every column on the Programming Sheet 40 regardless of the number of columns.

Three Programming Sheets 40' are used to program the machine. Programming is done by marking each of the Programming Sheets in using the standard marking device, in locations determined by the layout of the ballot 40. The ballot 44 can therefore be used as a guide in preparing the Programming Sheets 40'. Preferably a ballot is placed on a surface illuminated from below and the Programming Sheet number 1 can be overlaid. Either the ballot or Programming Sheet number 1 can be used as a guide to prepare Programming Sheets number 2 and number 3, but the use of a ballot is preferred. To avoid confusion, as soon as Programming Sheets are prepared for a particular ballot format, they should be clearly identified as corresponding to that format.

Programming Sheeet number 1 contains a mark in every voting location of the ballot in which a voting mark can be expected. This is to instruct the machine of the permissible voting locations. The code boxes 58 on top of the grid work are completely filled in with a black mark; best using a black marking pencil. A large digit one should be then Written in the heading on top for convenience of the operator. In one embodiment, using a four column ballot 40, Sheet number 1 was identified by marking the second and fourth boxes, Sheet number 2 had the first and third boxes marked and Sheet number 3 had the third and fourth boxes marked.

Programming Sheet number 2 is used to indicate the number of votes to be allowed for a particular ofiice. A vote for one office on the ballot would receive a mark only in the first location of that ofiice on Programming Sheet number 2. If a vote for two is permissible, the first and second locations associated with that office on the ballot are marked. Vote for X where X can be any number, is handled by marking the first X boxes in the required location.

The proper code boxes on top of the grid work to identify Programming Sheet number 2 are filled in black. Also write a large digit 2 in the heading on top.

Programming Sheet number 3 identifies a Recall Election issue whereby either a YES or NO vote is required on the recall question before a vote for a candidate is permitted. The Recall Issue is identified to the machine by marking the YES location on the recall proposition on Programming Sheet number 3, the proper code boxes are filled in black and a large digit 3 is written at the top of the sheet.

Turning next to FIG. 3, there is shown an overall view of a vote tallying machine 6G according to the present invention. The machine includes a feed chute 62 through which programming sheets and ballots are fed into the machine for processing. The machine is enclosed by a metal cabinet 64 which serves to house the component part and to protect them from unauthorized tampering. Removable panels 66 including locks 68 provide a means for authorized access to the internal mechanism for the purpose, for exampie, of adjusting the scanning mechanism for a particular ballot configuration for setting a switch to determine the ballot length.

A front panel 7d is provided with a plurality of control elements. Among them is a power toggle switch 72 and an associated power signal lamp 74, a ready lamp '76, which is illuminated after a predetermined time intervai when the magnetic drum memory is running at operating speed. A reset push button 78 is provided to clear errors signalled by a feed error lamp 30 and a program error lamp 82. A buzzer, not shown, provides an audible alarm signal to supplement the visual alarm signal provided by the feed error lamp 80. A second, different audible alarm could be added to supplement the program error lamp 82. A read push button 84 is used to command a display as will be explained in greater detail below. A multi-position rotatable switch 86 has six positions respectively associated with different phases of the machines operation. In a first position, the phase selector switch 86 enables programming of the machine, in a second position ballotreading is enabling and in the third through sixth positions inclusive, each of four columns of a ballot can be read from and vote totals displayed.

Continuing with the machines description and with further referen to FIG. 8, there is shown a better presentation of the display portion of the machine and the read out unit. On a display panel 90 there are a plurality of individual signal lamps 92 which are illuminated at various times to indicate a course of action to be taken by the machine operator. To the left, as viewed in FIG. 8, there are lamps associated with the feed of programming sheets and each is illuminated, in turn to indicate the next action to be taken by the operator. By the center of the panel, the main display lamps 88 are positioned and are adapted to provide a display of decimal digits. On the right side of the display panel 90 is a single lamp 92 identified by the legend feed ballot and is illuminated whenever the machine is prepared to receive a ballot during the read phase of operation.

On the flat surface of the machine, intermediate the front panel 70 and the display panel 90 is the read out mechanism 94 which includes a Read Out Sheet 96 that is a substantial replica of the ballot for which the machine is programmed and a slider bar 98 with a cut out frame portion 100 which is used to frame" a particular candidate or issue, the total votes associated with which it is desired to display.

Turning to FIG. 9, there is shown the remaining mechanism associated with the read out assembly 94 and includes a travelling position to digital encoder device made up of a plurality of snap action switches 102 mounted on a vertical bar 104 that is connected to the slider bar 98. A position encoder 106 is a flat metal plate 108 into which a plurality of holes 110 have been drilled, arranged in a plurality of rows according to a binary coded pattern, each vertical column corresponding to a different binary code. Each of the switches 102 is arranged to travel adjacent the plate and to change its contact configuration upon engaging a hole 111 A separate row of holes 112 in conjunction with a detent 114 mounted on the vertical bar 104 provides a plurality of detented positions in which the read out slider is held substantially in place and in each detented position, the switches 102 contact the plate 188 to provide a unique signal combination representing the position of the slider bar 98.

The ballot transport mechanism, which is used to carry a ballot through the machine for processing, is shown in side sectional view in FIG. 4 and in a top view of FIG. 5.

The ballots are hand-fed into the feed chute 62 opening at the front of the machine 60 approximately 3 inches into the machine, until the transport mechanism 120 can grip the ballot and pass it under scanning station 122. Before passing under the scanning station 122, the ballot must be aligned with its left-hand edge to be perpendicular to the line of scanning, so that the timing marks 56, to the left of the ballot, can be reliably related to the voting squares 46, 48.

The transport mechanism used is similar to that described in the above mentioned patent to Fechter et al., and consists of two or three belts 124 moving at a uniform speed. In a preferred embodiment, the ballot is held on top of the belts 124 by means of a number of /2 inch diameter steel balls 126, uniformly distributed along the entire length of the transporting belts 124. The steel 19 balls 126 are held in a retainer 128 over the belts 124 so that the balls 126 are free to rotate.

The alignment of the ballot is accomplished by the use of a chute which directs the ballot to a guiding edge 130 near the outside of the left-hand belt. The edge is orthogonal to the line of the scanning heads and the direction of motion of the belts 124 is slightly skewed with respect to the guide edge. The ballot, having a tendency to move parallel with the belt 124 therefore moves towards the guiding edge 130 until the ballot hits the guiding edge 130. The left-hand edge of the ballot is continuously urged against the guiding edge 130. This guiding action continues while any portion of the timing marks 56 or the voting squares 46, 48 are under the scanning station 122. The scanning station 122 includes a number of individual scanning heads 132 (two of which are shown), which are individually movable along a mounting bar 134 so that each scanning head 132 can be aligned with a marking column 42, 44 on the ballot 40 or Programming Sheet 48'. The mounting bar 134 is precisely perpendicular to the guiding edge 13% near the outside of the left-hand belt 124.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 where a scanning head 132 is shown in greater detail, it will be noted that a scanning head 132 may include two photo diodes 136 mounted side by side in order to scan the total area of the voting box or square 46, 48. The area is illuminated by two miniature incandescent light bulbs 138, each individually adjustable for brightness and mounted in advance of but shielded from the two photo diodes 136. The adjustment of the miniature light bulbs 138 is done outside the scanning head 132 by a controlling circuit (not shown).

As can be seen from FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the scanning head mounting bar 134 is orthogonal to the left side guiding edge 130 approximately at the middle of the machine 60. The scanning heads 132 are attached to the mounting bar 134 with a machine screw 148 in front and positioned precisely with a dowel pin 142 in the back. A hole pattern of a tapped hole and a reamed hole is repeated across the entire length of the mounting bar 134 in /2 inch increments. The scanning heads 132 therefore can be mounted in virtually any position on the bar, limited only by the hole pattern and the /2 inch increments.

The scanning heads 132 can be lifted out for servicing or relocating by removing the screw 14%. For pre-election alignment, each of the heads 132 are moved to the proper position so that they line-up with the columns of voting boxes as, 48 on the ballot 40.

The timing mark scanning head 132 always stays in the same relative horizontal position and no adjustment is normally required. However, a front-to-back adjustment is provided by a sliding mount and a knurled locking screw 144. Adjustment is required to establish the proper timing relationship between timing marks and the voting box so that all valid votes can be properly ascribed to the proper candidate or proposition.

When a ballot or programming sheet is inserted into the machine, a number of checks are made to determine that a good document has been properly fed. Of major importance is the need for the document to be fed face up with the top inserted first. By using two miniature snap action switches, Sx 146 and Sy 148 and taking advantage of the fact that all valid documents have the top left corner removed Where normally the voters receipt is removed by election officials and given to the voter, it is possible to make this determination.

It can be seen that Switch Sx 146 is mounted prior to or in advance of the lateral position of Switch Sy 148. The spacing is arranged so that Sy 148 closes first on a good ballot. However, if an improper ballot is fed or a proper ballot is fed incorrectly, Switch Sx 146 closes first, setting a Feed Error flip-flop (not shown) which prevents utilization of any data from the ballot. This same test applies equally to both the ballots and the Programming Sheets.

The timing marks 56 are used both to identify data taken from the ballot to program sheet counting marks, and to strobe or gate the voting marks into the staticizing circuits as explained in greated detail in connection with FIG. 12 below.

If for any reason one of these marks is not scanned (or an extra one is detected) then the data presumably has been shifted and is probably incorrect. Thus, at the end of the ballot, determined by the state of a third switch Sz 150 signalling that the ballot ha left the scanning station 122 a check is made that a mark counter contains a number corresponding to the setting of a ballot length switch (not shown) on the inside of the machine which determines the length of an expected ballot. The ballot length switch is set when the machine is adjusted prior to operation. The comparison is performed on both the ballots and program sheets and, in case of an error, the Feed Error flip-flop is set so that the data will not be utilized.

On the Programming Sheets 44), an additional check is made to determine that the correct sheet is being fed at the proper time. The code boxes at the top of each column are selectively marked to generate a code pattern across each sheet. Wired into the logic of the unit is a corresponding pro-selected coding that must be matched by each Programming Sheet to permit operation to proceed. In case of failure to agree, the Feed Error flip-flop is again energized and the data is not utilized. This incidentally serves as a preliminary test of all of the scanning circuits since the code combinations are arranged to require a mark and a no mark indication from each of the scanning heads 132 during the programming phase of the operation.

Turning next to FIG. there is shown an idealized diagram of the major components of the electronic counter portion of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the memory system of the vote counting unit consists of a magnetic drum 160 and associated circuitry for both long and short time storage of data. The drum 160 rotates at 3600 rpm. and has a clock rate of approximately 48 kc./s. The drum drive system is not shown.

The surface of the drum is divided into eight information channels D D 162A162H which are used on a re-circulation basis of 500 bits of information or data each. These 500 bits are obtained from 498 storage cells on the surface of the drum plus two bits of flip-flop storage which are used for logical analysis and for rewriting information on the drum.

By recirculating the data in this manner, each bit of each channel is available approximately every ten milliseconds since the contents of each data cell are read as the drum moves past fixed read heads R - R 164A 164H and information is written (after examination and possible changes) exactly 498 bit times up stream or prior to the read heads by set of second heads known as the write heads, W t/V 166A-166H.

Each column of a ballot is associated with two channels of the drum and the re-circulating registers con tained thereon. One drum channel is used for long term storage of the program and the short term storage of the ballot votes and processing marks. The other drum channel is used to store the cumulative total votes of each candidate or measure. The two circulating registers associated with first Column of the ballot are designated A, 162A and E, 162E. Channel A, 1612A, is used for the program and E, 162E, is for the cumulative totals. Similarly, registers B, 162B, and F, 1621 are used with a second column of the ballot, and so on.

In addition to the eight recirculating registers on the drum 160, there is also a permanently recorded clock channel 168 which has Written thereon 800 timing marks or bits which are read by a clock read head R 170. The clock channel 168 is used for internal timing of the memory system and each mark Written therein corre- 12 sponds to an information cell in the individual recirculating registers.

Stiil another recirculating channel is provided, designated the parity channel P, 172 including a read head R 174, anda write head W 1'76. The parity channel 172 is used in conjunction with a parity generating system, described in greater detail below in connection with FIGS. 16 and 17, which helps to prevent error in the systern.

As indicated in FIG. 10, information is scanned from a ballot 44) or program sheet 46' and is applied to an input logic circuit 178, the output of which is applied to the appropriate write head. At the proper time in the operational sequence of the machine information is eacl from the recirculating channels and is applied to an analyzing circuit 18% which re-records information on the drum. On demand, the contents of the accumulator registers in channels D through D 162E-162H are applied to a decode circuit 182 which transmits information to the display device 88.

The recirculation path of an individual recirculating register, for example, the A channel is indicated in FIG. 11. It is to be understood that channels B through H are substantially similar in structure and therefore will not be separately described. Similar reference characters, with appropriate letter subscripts are used to describe the corresponding elements associated with any of the other channels.

All information to be written in the channel is generated in an A channel logic unit 182A which is controlled by a predetermined combination of signals read from the channel and from other, external sources, such as the input logic circuit 178. At each bit time, the logic circuit 182A applies a signal to a channel A Write flip-flop 184A, the output of which is applied to an A driver circuit 186A. The output of the channel A driver circuit is applied to the W write head 166A and information is recorded in the A channel.

After a delay equivalent to 498 clock pulses the recorded bit of information is read by the A read head R 164A and is applied to an A amplifier 188A and staticized in a read A flip-lop 196A. The output of the read A flip-flop 190 A is then one of the inputs to the A logic unit 182A and may be rewritten into the A channel.

Turning next to FIG. 12 and also with reference to FIG. 10, there is shown an idealized diagram, in partially graphical form, which correlates the location, both in time and position, of ballot timing marks 56, voting marks 49 in the appropriate voting squares 46, 48 the signal output of the scanning head 132' associated with the timing column 54, and with the signal output of a single scan head 132. As will be seen, the scanning outputs are combined to produce a signal which is applied to a staticizer prior to entry into the memory system.

This particular technique is sometimes known as strobing and is frequently used in synchronous, selfclocked systems. In FIG. 5, above, it can be seen that the timing mark scan head 132' is slightly offset, in advance of the other scanning heads 132, so that a timing mark on a ballot which coincides with the beginning of a voting square, generates a signal corresponding to the timing mark, at a time when approximately the middle third of the next following voting square is aligned with the other scanning heads 132. When signals representing the presence of a mark from the vote mark scanning heads 132 and the timing mark scanning heads 132 coincide, an output signal is provided, which is applied to a suitable staticizer.

in those instances when a voting mark 49 overlaps either the upper or lower border of the voting square, but has more than half of the mark within a square, an appropriate gated signal is provided at the time corresponding to the proper voting square. In such a case, the output pulse is of shorter duration than would be the 13 case if the voting mark 49 were properly placed, entirely within a voting square.

Turning next to FIG. 13, to identify any particular bit that is read from the drum 160, a drum counter 191 consisting of ten flip-flops has been provided. This counter consists of two portions, a bit counter 192 which counts the bits with a word and a word counter 1940 which counts words.

The hit counter 192 is driven by and counts the system clock pulses from the clock track D 168 consisting of 800 evenly spaced bits. The bit counter 192 generates the B through B9 timing pulses and contains four flip-flops connected as a modulo ten counter. The word counter 194 contains six flip-flops connected as a modulo-fifty counter and is driven by the cycling of the bit counter 192. Therefore, by combining output signals of the counter a unique pulse can be generated to identify precisely, any one particular bit of data from the drum.

Both of these counters 192, 194 are synchronized at the time of power turn-on by resetting all of the flip-flops to the off state representing a Zero count for both. The counters start counting at the closure of a switching relay which is turned to close after the drum has gotten up to speed.

In FIG. 14, there is shown in block form, a Ballot Timing Counter 196 which is a straight binary counter consisting of six flip-flops. This counter is used to define a particular candidate or proposition to the remainder of the system and corresponds each horizontal row on the ballot or Programming Sheet to a memory address. The count output is used to generate a command to the memory system for the location of the corresponding Words on the drum.

The timing marks 56 on the ballot are counted as they pass the scanning head 132. As the ballot leaves the scanning area, as signalled by switch S 150, the Ballot Timing counter contains a count equal to the number of marks 56 scanned which is compared with the setting of an internal Ballot length (not shown) switch which can be used to select one of several possible ballot lengths. This counter 196 generates an address during both the programming and ballot reading phases of operation.

In addition, during the Vote Read-Out phase of operation, the Ballot Timing counter 196 is used to address the location in the drum containing the vote total that is to be read out. This is accomplished by presetting the counter, forcing it to a code combination specified by the code switches 102 on the Read-Out Slider Hi4.

In all cases this counter contains an address of a desired drum location. As pointed out above, the Word Counter 194 at all times signals the drum word being read from. A comparison is performed in binary form without converting to the decimal equivalent between the Ballot Timing Counter 196 and the Word Counter 194 and when there is agreement, a unique output signal is generated which then permits reading or writing on the drum.

The block diagram of FIG. illustrates functionally how information is transmitted from a programming sheet or ballot to a storage cell in the memory drum. As pointed out above, the output of the word counter 194 portion of the drum counter 190 is a plurality of signals representing a binary count which corresponds to the Word being read from the drum. The output of the word counter 194 is applied to a comparison network 198. Simultaneously, the timing track scanning head 132' applies signals to a timing mark staticizer 2%, the output of which is applied to the Ballot Timing counter. The output of the Ballot Timing counter 196 is also applied to the comparison network 198.

The output of the timing mark staticizer 2130 is applied to a scanning circuit 202 which is connected to the scanning heads 132 for each of the columns of the ballot. The output of the scanning circuit 202 is applied to a voting mark staticizer 204 which staticizes and holds the output of the individual scanning heads 132.

When a signal from the comparison network 198 indicates that the number in the Ballot Timing counter 196 is equal to the number in the Word counter 194 the contents of the voting mark staticizer 204 are gated into the A Write logic block 182A, for subsequent transmission, at the proper bit time, to the write A flip-flop 184A. This assures that the voting marks are written into the program channels in the proper word associated with the particular candidates voting block, being scanned.

Turning next to FIG. 16, during the portion of the program that the second of each pair of programming sheets is being read, the contents of the recirculating register are compared with the contents of the second programming sheet, as detected by the scanning heads 132 under control of the timing mark scanning head 132. When the address of the drum word counter 194 coincides with the count of the Ballot Timing counter 196 as indicated by the comparison network 198, a signal enables a bit by bit comparison of the memory with the programming sheet. If the stored program differs from the sheet, a program error flip-cop 206 is triggered to give an alarm.

Similarily, for reading out totals from the accumulator registers E through H, on a selective, one at a time basis, and with reference to FIG. 17, an address comparison is made to gate the contents of a desired accumulator word of selected register into a Binary Vote Counter 208 which then stores the contents. So long as the stored count is not equal to zero, each Clock pulse Cl simultaneously counts down the Binary Vote Counter 208 and counts up a Decimal Vote Counter 21-11 which is connected, through decoding logic 211 to the three decimal decade display 88.

Turning next to FIG. 18 there is shown a Parity System 212 in diagrammatic form. A first parity generator 214 receives inputs from all of the data register write flip-flops and generates a single parity bit for storage in the parity channel D 172. The output of the parity channel 172 is read into a parity comparison network 216 and is compared, each bit time, with the output of the eight data register flip-flops which are applied to a second parity generator 218. If the data stored on the drum is of correct parity, the parity comparison network 216 should indicate agreement at all times.

If, at any time, the output of the second parity generator 218 is not identical to that of the parity channel 172, an output is provided which sets the program error flipflop 2%.

With reference next to FIG. 19, there is shown a stylized representation of portion of the A and E channels 162A, 162E of the drum.

Each recirculating register of the channels is sub-divided into fifty sections, each representing one of the fifty possible items in a ballot column. These sections are called words and are identified as W-1 through W-St). A further sub-division of these words is made into ten cells or bits each and are identified as B-0 through B-9.

For recirculating registers D through D the follow ing identifies the use of the various bit cells, these being the same for each word:

TABLE I B-tl-not used B1permissible voting location B2-permissible votes B3-recall B5vote inhibit B-dvote storage B7not used TABLE IContinued B-8overvote mark B9used to store forty-nine ls error detection purposes.

Bit cells Bll, B2, and B3 are used to store the program for a particular precinct. The interim storage of the ballot vote and processing marks is provided at cells B5, B6, and B-8. The remaining four cells are not normally used, but are provided to make these words the same length as the corresponding words in the accumulator registers E-H.

In the accumulator register of channels D through D only the total number of votes received is stored and the individual cells are weighted in binary fashion so as to accommodate numbers up to 1023, as follows:

and one for TABLE II B(): 2 or 1 B: 2 or 32 13-1: 2 or 2 13-6: 2 or 64 B2: 2 or 4 13-7: 2 or 128 B-3: 2 or 8 B8: 2 or 256 13-4: 2 or 16 13-9: 2 or 512 Thus, treating the several cells of an accumulator register word as a counter, any number, representing the total votes received from a precinct, less than 1023, may be stored. This capacity is more than adequate in California for example since the California Election Code provides for a maximum of 600 voters in any one precinct.

As indicated in FIG. 19, a computation logic block 226 is shown between the read flip-flops 190A, 196E and the write flip-flops 134A, 184E. The computation logic block 220 includes of course the individual write logic units 182A through H. To aid in reader understanding the contents of the computation logic block will not be described in terms of physical components, but rather will be described below in terms of the logical equations which determined the output of the block for each combination of input signals. As is well known, suitable mechanization can be derived from any complete set of logical equations which will result in operating equipment that will perform in accordance with the equations.

In FIG. 20, there is set out in a block diagrammatic form, the phase counter 227 which determines the operation of the machine of the present invention. Physically, the phase counter is made up of a ring of twenty-four flip-flops, only one of which, at any time, is in the set or 1 representing stable state. Within the computation logic block 220 is the necessary logic to trigger each succeeding flip-flop of the ring.

In the following discussion, the operation of the machine will be discussed and the logical equation necessary for machine operation will be set forth using the following symbols:

TABLE III P-00 through P23, incl. represents individual phase ring flip-flop TSignal from ballot timing WWord G-Permissible mark NDecimal Vote Counter Q-Binary Vote Register In the discussion of the various phases below, each discussion will include a statement of the logical expression which caused the particular phase flip-flop to be set. It should be noted that the setting of one phase flip-flop clears the prior flip-flop and preconditions the setting for the succeeding phase flip-flop.

There are three major phases of operation in the processing of ballots from each precinct, which are subdivided into twenty-four individual phase counts, Foil-P23.

To generate these phase counts the Phase Counter 222 is provided consisting of twenty-four flip-flops and related gating circuits connected as a ring counter so as to control and time the sequency of all major operations of the system. Operating in conjunction with this phase counter is the Column Control sub counter 224 which identifies the particular column that is being processed at any one time. This stepping counter is composed of four flip-flops and their related gating circuits.

(1) Programming This operation includes phase counts P-tltl through P437. After the machine has been set up, power turned on and the preliminary checks satisfactorily completed; it is necessary to program or instruct the unit as the type of ballots that are to be processed. This is accomplished by feeding in six previously prepared Program Sheets 40 in two sets of three. Each set is prepared independently to reduce the possibility of human error. The first sheet of a pair enables the machine to record the data and the second permits a box-by-box check of the recorded data.

Certain other checks are performed during this operation, such as the proper functioning of the scanning heads 132 as each is required to recognize code boxes 58 in accordance with a previously determined configuration. If an error is detected, either because the Programming Sheets 4ft can not be correctly stored and compared or because of a bad scanning head 132, the condition is indicated by the Program Error lamp 82 which is controlled by the Program Error flip-flop 206. The correct procedure then is to clear the machine by turning the power off and on to re-start the programming phase. After all three pairs Programming Sheets 40' have been processed successfully, the machine is ready to process ballots 40.

P00System clean-This is the phase assumed by the unit at system power turn on and it causes reset of all other phase and control flip-flops.

P01Read programming sheet #1.After approximately ten seconds of warm-up time (as determined by a thermal delay relay K1 [not shown] which closes a switching relay K3 [not shown] and the Phase Selector Switch 86 on the front panel 70 in the Program position, the phase counter advances to P-01. At this time the first Programming Sheet --#l is fed through the unit, and the data is stored on the magnetic drum. This programming sheet programs or instructs the machine as to the permissible vote boxes 46, 43 of the ballot 40.

Each of the three programming sheets 40 has a different code pattern in the code boxes 58 above the columns so that the machine can recognize which of programming sheets is being fed. If a sheet is not fed at the correct time, the data from it will not be stored and an alarm is given. The code boxes 58 serve as a source of known data with which to test the proper operation of the scanning circuits 202.

P02Check first program sheet.The satisfactory feeding and reading of the first Programming Sheet #1 (including both proper insertion and correct number of timing marks on the ballot) advances the phase counter to P02. In this phase count the second Programming Sheet #1 is fed through for a box-by-box of the data stored on the magnetic drum against the programming sheet.

P03Read first programming sheet #2.The satisfactory feeding and reading (including the exact agreement of the box-by-box check) of the second Programming Sheet #1 advances the phase counter to P-tl3. The first Programming Sheet #2. is fed through and data is stored on the magnetic drum. This programming sheet instructs the machine as to the number of legal votes to be permitted for each office or measure on the ballot.

P04-Check second programming sheet #2.The satisfactory feeding of the first Programming Sheet #2 1 7 advances the phase counter to P-04 and in a similar manner the second Programming Sheet #2 is fed for the boxby-box check.

P05Read first programming sheet #3.In a similar manner, the satisfactory feeding of the second Programming Sheet #2 advances the phase counter to P-OS. The first Programming Sheet #3 is fed and the data stored so as to instruct as to any recall questions.

P-06-Check second programming sheet #3.As before, the satisfactory feeding of the first Programming Sheet #3 advances the phase counter to P06 where the second sheet #3 is fed for the box-by-box check.

P07Wait.The satisfactory feeding of the second Programming Sheet #3 advances the phase counter to P-07. This completes the programming phase of the operation and a complete set of instructions are now stored which will enable the machine to process the ballots from a precinct. In this Wait phase, these instructions are recirculated on the magnetic drum.

(II) Ballot processing This operation consists of phase counts P-08 through P-19. Each ballot is fed through the unit once for the complete reading and analysis of all voting marks. As the ballot moves past the reading heads, its speed is automatically controlled to a fixed, pre-determined rate. The four scanning heads 132 and corresponding circuits (one for each column) read the voters marks 49 and signals representing these marks are stored on the magnetic drum in relation to the timing marks printed on the left margin of the ballot and read by the timing mark scanning head 132'.

Following the reading of the ballot, it is necessary to check every oifice and measure for overvotes and to check for proper voting on any recall question. Any such improper voting will invalidate that particular office or measure, but not the remainder of the ballot, and it necessary to write an inhibit mark on the drum so that these votes will not be added to the running totals during the updating operation.

The running totals for each candidate and measure are stored in binary form on the drum. The updating opera tion requires only a cycling of the data registers on the drum so that each vote can be added to the total for that candidate. If overvote or improper recall inhibit markers are present, no updating occurs and the old totals are rewritten without change. After the complete updating of the totals, the machine recycles to the start of the ballot processing phase, P-08. Displays the total number of ballots processed and waits to receive the next ballot.

P08Display number of ballots fed.-The changing of the Mode Switch from the Program position to Read advances the phase counter from P07 to P-08 which enables the unit to read a ballot when it is presented.

Following the updating of the ballot votes, a conversion from binary to binary-coded-decimal is made of the number of ballots that have been read. When the Binary Vote Counter 208 has counted down to zero, the phase counter on the next Clock Pulse advances to P-08 from P-19. The Decimal Vote Counter 210 contents are then displayed in the viewing Windows on the top of the unit and this is the number of ballots that have been processed up to this time. Primarily, the machine is waiting to receive the next ballot.

P09Read ballot.The proper insertion of a ballot into the unit, face up with the top inserted first, as deter mined by switches Sx 146 and Sy 148, advances the phase counter to P09 during which the ballot is read and the votes are temporarily stored on the magnetic drum. On this single pass the entire ballot is read, as there is a scanning circuit provided for each column.

If the ballot is not properly inserted, a Feed Error results with the Feed Error Lamp 80 being turned on. No data from the scanning circuit is utilized. To re- 18 establish operation, it is only necessary to press the Reset Button 78 and re-feed the ballot.

P10-Synchronize.The ballot leaving the Read Station (as determined by switch Sz) advances the Phase counter to P-10 during which the phase counter waits for signals which synchronize it to the magnetic drum. During the forthcoming analysis of the votes from the ballot, it is necessary for the phase counter and magnetic drum to operate in synchronism.

P11C0mpute overvote.-The last pulse of the current drum turn, which is identified as the last or B9 bit of W50, the last word is recognized which advances the phase counter to P-11. At this time the Column Control Counter 224 comes into use. Up to this point, all operations have been parallel by columns. During P11, the operation is serial by columns. Column counter 224 is set to P-A.

In accordance with the Election Code of the State of California, for example, a number of candidates may be elected to particular offices. Thus, it is necessary to determine for each ofiice, if the legal or permissible number of votes for that ofiice has been exceeded. If exceeded, all votes for that oflice must be ignored, but the remainder of the ballot may still be valid and therefore should be tabulated.

During Phase Count P-11, the machine starts a series of operations to determine overvoting, if any. If more than the permitted votes have been cast for any office then inhibit marks must be generated to prevent the entry of any of them. Examining the organization of the words in the A-D channels of the drum, for any ofiice, the number of B-2 cells with bits stored therein represents the permissible number of votes for that office. In the B6 cells, the actual votes are stored. Therefore, all information required for the overvote determination is stored on the drum.

In order to extract this information from the drum so that it may be utilized, two flip-flop counters are provided, a G counter to count the permissible number of votes, and a second H counter to count the actual votes cast. The counts are compared, for each ofiice to determine if the actual votes exceed the permissible votes. Is so, a control flip-flop is set corresponding to the office which in turn causes an overvote mark to be written in the remaining B8 cell of the particular office. Upon completion of Column A, the column counter advances to P-B, the phase counter remaining in P-ll and Column B is examined in a similar manner. The same procedure is followed throughout Columns C and D.

PI2Compute improper recall voting-Upon the completion of the overvote computation on Column D the phase counter advances to P-12 and the column counter returns to P-A. Beginning with Column A an examination is made to determine if there has been compliance with the appropriate rules. Proper voting requires either a YES or NO vote, but not both. In order to be permitted to vote on the replacement candidate, the voter must either favor or oppose the recall, and have voted accordingly. This examination is performed by four flipfiops which temporarily store the existence of a recall question and the voting on the question. If from this analysis, it is determined that the recall vote is improper, an error mark is written in the B-8 cells of the next oflice, which assigned to the replacement candidates to indicate that these are not valid votes as defined by the Election Code. Following the pass through Column A, the column counter advances and the other columns are examined in sequence.

P13Load inhibit vote update register.After the improper recall examination of Column D, the phase counter advances to P-13 and the column counter resets to PA. Beginning with Column A an examination is made for any overvote or improper recall marks that have been recorded in B8 cells of the drum and any such marks are then transferred to a group of U flip-flops, each corresponding to one of the fifteen possible offices per column which here are termed an Inhibit Register. The proper flip-flop of this Register is gated by the G flip-flops now functioning as an Office Counter which counts the offices as the pass through Column A is made.

The completion of the loading of the Inhibit Register for Column A advances the phase counter to P-14 without affecting the column counter.

P]4Write inhibit marks.The completion of the loading of the Inhibit Register from Column A advances the phase counter to P14, but the column counter remains at P-A. The inhibit marks stored in the Inhibit Register are now rewritten on the drum for each candidate for the office in the respective B5 cells, under the control of the Office Counter so that each mark is limited to the improperly voted office. This operation results in an inhibit mark prior to each vote that is not to be counted into the total. At the completion of the operaion for Column A, the phase counter returns to P-13 and the column counter advances to PB. The Inhibit Register is next loaded with the inhibit marks from Column B and these are subsequently rewritten. In a similar manner Columns C and D are processed. After Column D inhibit marks have been written on the drum, the counter goes to P-15.

P-J5Update cumulative ttals.After all columns have been adjusted so as to have the inhibit marks at the start of the offices, the phase counter advances to P15 where the cumulative totals are to be increased for each candidate that received a valid vote from the last ballot. Under the control of the column counter, each column is processed in sequence.

During this phase, words in channels AD that have no marks in the B cells add the contents of the B6 cell into the associated accumulator register of channels E-H.

P-16Add one to ballots fecL-The updating of cumulative totals advances the phase counter to P16 at which time the accumulator Word on the magnetic drum, storing the number of ballots fed, is increased by one to represent that a good ballot has just been read and the totals updated. This total is maintained in the first word of the E channel, W1 which would otherwise correspond to the title block of the first elective office of channel A.

P17Clear out ola' v0tes.After updating the number of ballots fed, the phase counter advances to P-17 and all of the old votes and inhibit marks are erased from cells B5, B6 and B8 of the short term storage of channels A-D on the magnetic drum. The remaining program information found in cells B1, B2 and B3 are not erased nor are the cumulative totals of channels E-H erased. This prepares the system for receiving the votes from the next ballot.

If a feed error had resulted when the ballot was fed, the pressing of the Reset Button on the control panel automatically advances the phase counter to P-17, and all of the data from the improperly inserted ballot is erased from the drum.

P18Preset binary vote c0unter.After the old vote data has been cleared from the temporary drum storage, the phase counter advances to P-18. The number of ballots fed is taken from the accumulator register word W1 of channel E in binary form and is used to preset the Binary Vote Counter 208.

P-19C0nvert binary to decimal.-Following the setting of the Binary Vote Counter 208, the phase counter advances to P-19. The Binary Vote Counter 208 is then pulsed to count down in synchronism with the Decimal Vote Counter 210 which counts up. Since the Decimal Counter starts at zero, it will contain the decimal number of ballots fed when the binary counter reaches zero.

From this phase count, the unit resets to the condition prior to the feeding of the last ballot, that is, it displays the number of ballots fed and waits for the next ballot to be inserted into the unit.

20 (III) Vote read-out This operation includes phase counts P-20 through P 23. Upon completion of the processing of all ballots for a precinct, the totals can be obtained from the unit for each candidate or measure. This is accomplished by selecting a column with the phase selector switch 86 and framing a name by the Slider 98 and then pressing the Read-Out Button 84. The totals appear in the windows at the top of the unit.

P20-Wait.Following the processing of all ballots of a precinct, the changing of the Phase Selector Switch 86 from Read to the selection of one of the columns for read-out, advances the phase counter to P20. In this phase count, the machine waits for the slider (which frames the name of one candidate) to be positioned and the Read-Out Button 84 pressed.

A printed form, preferably a ballot identical to the ballots being tabulated, is designated the Read-Out sheet 40 and is mounted on top of the unit under a clear plastic cover. The Read-Out sheet 40 is properly aligned so that the movable slider Bar 98 with the cut-out window 100 can frame the name of each candidate when moved to that position.

Read-Out of vote totals is accomplished by rotating the Phase Selector Switch 8% to the number corresponding to the column to be read from which illuminates an indicator light above the appropriate column of the Read-Out sheet. This light is intended to correspond the position of the control panel switch with the column being read from.

The Slider Bar 98 is then moved to frame the name of a candidate.

P21Preset binary vote c0unter.The pressing of the Read-Out Button 84 advances the phase counter to P-21.

From the six switches 102, on the Slider Bar 98, a code pattern is generated that addresses one word on the drum in which the vote total for the corresponding candidate has been stored. This code combination forces the Ballot Timing Counter 1% to the proper address. Agreement between this counter and the Word Counter 194 causes generation of a signal that gates data from the drum into the Binary Vote Counter 208.

P22C0nvert binary t0 decimal-With the advance of the phase counter to P22 the Binary Vote Counter is counted down while a Decimal Vote Counter is counted up. Each counter is activated by the system clock pulse. Since the Decimal Counter starts at Zero and continues counting until the Binary Counter reaches zero at that time the Decimal Counter will contain the correct number of votes.

P-23Display vote t0tals.When the Binary Vote Counter 208 reaches a value of Zero, the phase counter is advanced on the next clock pulse to P23 and counting is stopped. The number in the accumulator is converted from pure binary to four bit binary-coded-decimal format with bits having weights of 2 2 2 and 2.

From the binary-coded-decimal format, a one-of-ten selection is made. Each of these ten outputs is coupled through a power amplifier to present a display of the proper digit in the display windows 88.

Although many displays are available, in the preferred embodiment, a lens and mask system projects a digit on a screen corresponding to the activated one of a plurality of light sources.

This number is displayed as long as desired; that is, until the Read-Out Button is released and another candidates vote totals are commanded to be read-out.

After the recording of the precinct vote of a candidate in a suitable permanent record, release of the Read-Out Button causes the phase counter to reset to P20 from P-23. At this time the machine waits for the selection of a next candidates name and pressing of the Read-0ut Button 84.

Claims (1)

1. A MACHINE FOR TALLYING VOTES, SAID MACHINE BEING OPERABLE IN CONJUNCTION WITH A BALLOT HAVING THE VOTES EXPRESSED THEREON AS VOTER''S MARK IN PREDETERMINED VOTING LOCATIONS CORRESPONDING TO SELECTED ALTERNATIVES, SAID MACHINE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: VOTE SIGNALLING MEANS OPERABLE IN RESPONSE TO THE SENSING OF EACH APPLIED BALLOT TO ENABLE A SERIALLY SCANNING ALL OF THE VOTING LOCATIONS THEREON FOR SIGNALLING THE PRESENCE AND ABSENCE, RESPECTIVELY, OF VOTER''S MARKS IN EACH SUCH LOCATION; STORAGE MEANS COUPLED TO SAID VOTE SIGNALLING MEANS AND RESPONSIVE TO SIGNALS THEREFROM DURING THE PASSAGE OF EACH VOTING LOCATING TO GENERATE AND STORE SELECTIVELY IN ONE OF A PLURALITY OF FIRST STORAGE LOCATIONS, RESPECTIVELY CORRESPONDING THE VOTING LOCATION BEING SCANNED, A FIRST SIGNAL REPRESENTING THE PRESENCE OF A VOTING MARK AND A SECOND SIGNAL REPRESENTING THE ABSENCE OF A VOTING MARK, ALTERNATIVELY; SAID STORAGE MEANS INCLUDING COUNT STORAGE MEANS FOR CONTINUOUSLY STORING IN A PLURALITY OF SECOND LOCATIONS, EACH RESPECTIVELY CORRESPONDING TO A VOTING LOCATION, NUMBER SIGNALS REPRESENTING AN ACCUMULATED TOTAL OF VOTES CAST IN EACH SUCH VOTING LOCATION FROM PREVIOUSLY APPLIED BALLOTS; AND VOTE COUNTING MEANS COUPLED TO SAID STORAGE MEANS AND OPERABLE AFTER THE PASSAGE OF EACH BALLOT AND IN RESPONSE TO STORAGE MEANS SIGNALS TO GENERATE AND STORE IN SAID COUNT STORAGE MEANS NEW NUMBER SIGNALS REPRERESENTING THE ACCUMULATED NUMBER OF VOTES CAST IN EACH VOTING LOCATION, INCREASED BY ANY VALID VOTES CAST ON THE BALLOT JUST SCANNED.

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